Dragon’s Blood Tree

This is a strange and beautiful tree called a Dragon Blood Tree. Its shape helps it survive arid conditions and areas with limited soil. The shading helps the seedlings survive in the harsh environment.

The interesting thing about this tree, other than its shape, is that it contains a blood-red resin called Dragon’s Blood. Starting in the first century AD, Dragon’s Blood was used as a dye and medicine to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Later uses include a blood coagulant and treatments for diarrhea, fever, dysentery, ulcers in the mouth, throat, intestines and stomach, as well as an antiviral for respiratory viruses.

The Dragon’s Blood tree (Dracaena Cinnabari) is found in the Socotra archipelago, a small group of four islands in the Indian Ocean. Also known as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” the group of islands has a variety of fascinating species. Here is a video of this beautiful and unusual island: